3 years, 3 tours, 3 shots

November 19, 2009

things are fucking amazing.
tour is hard.
tour is great.
my brain is mush.
so much to tell, but it can wait.

for the time being….here are three photographs that make sense of my life.

they were all taken, in almost the exact same spot, by my good friend kyle cassidy. (www.kylecassidy.com, @finallykyle)
kyle, he is a ninja photographer.
and we, we are the masters of the 6-minute photoshoot.

i met kyle back in 2002 or 2003 in philly when he came to see the dolls open up for sleepytime gorilla museum. he invited us to crash with him and history started it’s usual course.
since then, i’ve crashed at his house countless times and we have taken thousands of photographs together….and now, we’ve made a book together.

this magic cobblestone alley is right outside the stage door of the Theater Of Living Arts on South Street in Philadelphia.

we didn’t mean for it to become a tradition, but it did….
all of these shots were taken about 2 minutes before hitting stage, almost exactly a year apart from each other, for the past 3 years.

…………………………………..

december 28, 2007.
two years ago.
on the dresden dolls’ “no, virginia” tour.

it was snowing. it was freezing.

brian didn’t come out with me, so i shot alone.

i miss him.

it was an amazing show.

…………………………………..

November 23, 2008.

one year ago.
on the “who killed amanda palmer” american tour.

with my beloved friends in the danger ensemble, who performed their asses off with me all through that hard winter…..

from left to right: Kat, Mark, Lyndon (violin), Tora, Steven.

it was freezing cold. but it was not snowing.
many of us had the flu.

i miss them.

it was an amazing show.

…………………………………..

November 18, 2009.

otherwise known as last night.

also known as the “touring amanda is still fucking touring because she can’t stop touring” world tour tour.

….with the fine fucking gentlemen of Nervous Cabaret, who are serving hard time as my back-up band and KILLING IT.

it was chilly, but not freezing.

the leaves, they were brand new and were so soft and yellow it was like they had fallen on the ground right that moment.

i don’t miss anyone.

they are all here with me in falls church virginia, backstage making trombone farting noises and eating wonderful food brought to us by a beautiful local girl named tash.

for the first two shows you were here in chicago very shortly after each time. this time not so much. we miss you (but know you need to rest!)

http://www.transitofvenusproject.com/ Kristie

Beautiful

jtaylor

I remember walking down that alley a few times. I miss Philly and that neighborhood in particular and I wish I could have been at the show.

kyprieth

It was my birthday on Monday. I wish I could give myself the birthday present of going to one of your shows, because that would be the most amazing experience ever, but I’m in Montreal and in school, I can’t ship myself out to the closest of your tour stops, even. Keep on rocking. Someday I’ll make it.

devifromhamburg

Photographs with you cannot be a fail. Never. I love picture no.1 most.

BinaChristina

Perfection! Come to Portland!

drowningdolly

The murals in that alley make it a magical feeling place, especially when the sun is setting. I love these photos. Please don’t stop touring, unless it’s just long enough to write new songs, make new music.

DaphPunk

Last night’s show was fucking unbelievable. Philly loves you!

http://countingbackwards.tumblr.com James B.

Love the photos. Especially the last one. Hope you’re having a good tour.

http://www.facebook.com/LaurenMarie23 Lauren Bell

You were amazing last night and so were the fine men of Nervous Cabaret! You all put on an amazing show and when I was leaving close to 1 AM I didn’t want it to end! Although, meeting you was the highlight of my life.. You have been an inspiration to me in my darkest and brightest moments. I did not get to say all I wanted to you at the tour as I was in my ‘fan girl’ shocked mode haha.. I forgot to give you my wishes, so here they are… I wish you the best of luck, safety, and health on your tour. I’m sure you will be a hit everywhere you go. Thank you for coming back to Philly

Ellie

Wow, great photos.
Saw your show in Brooklyn on Saturday. It was amazing! Come back again, we love you.

loves reading your blog entries but cant stop wondering when world tours would include places like uruguay, it seems it gets left out of the world XP

Vespertine

“touring amanda is still fucking touring because she can’t stop touring” hahah =)))) laughed a lot to this. but at the same time i felt very sad because you are fucking touring but you’ve never come to my country to perform .maybe i should go abroad to see you alive. you have fucking been in singapore,but you haven’t performed in turkey. i just listen to your cds and read your blogs. anyway it’s beautiful to know there’s a crazy lass singing and touring all around the world even when it’s snowing =)

karohemd

Kyle posting that first pic on his blog was when I found you and your music and have been a fan ever since. I bought the DD back catalogue and WKAP when it came out.
I’m looking forward to your next appearance in the UK and hopefully I’ll have the opportunity to say Hi afterwards (previously I always had to rush off to catch the train back home).

mimsmithfaro

Saw you last night at the TLA. It was a most wonderful show! I brought my 14 yo and she remarked to me that she felt at home there among the gathered fans. Thank-you.

Katie

Can I just say this. … I love you

amster

Amanda Palmer, you are an amazing woman.
As I was reading this post, Will came on through iTunes shuffle.
If I wasn’t currently in the library at uni, I think I would cry.
Thank you. We love you. Never give up.

Tracy

I love everything about these photos; the tradition, the evolution, the energy … you.

Laurs

I saw you December 28th, 2007 at the TLA. It was the first concert I ever attended, and one of the best experiences of my life.

bloodlesscoup

Amanda, you’re one of my favorite people ever. I hope you know how amazing you are.

Ben

Just got back from the amazing show.

Kelly

And the show in Falls Church was amazing! Thanks Amanda, Nervous Cabaret, and everyone who helped make it happen! The State Theatre is a great venue, if only it were downtown in DC or at least closer to the Metro!

Eric

Beautiful photographs all.

Penguindreams

That’s a Ginkgo, or Maidenhair tree. In the Autumn the leaves all turn bright yellow at once and all fall in one day.

http://www.mcmatz.com mcmatz

It was my first afp show and I was not disappointed. WKAP is a work that has turned into my personal soundtrack. It kills me every time I hear it and reminds I’m alive and need to fucking live it. Last night, I was elated, I cried, I was amazed and filled with that force of nature you have claimed to be (turns out, you are). And staying to sign and meet everyone and actually connect, you are a sweet human being madame.
Uh, sorry about the mono… 8*0

Name

Eveybody having a good time. :o)

I’ll keep donating money to Amanda and that talented crazy bunch doing those amazingly creative and self-expressive no-budget-tours, as long as fucking awesome photos like these keep popping up.

Where are Amanda’s boobs in the 1st one?

Anna

This made me smile.

KRISTINE

Come to Singapore again ?

I always wished you’d came. AND YOU DID….only the wrong time. You came for the days I was sitting for some of the most important papers for my exams. It really burns that i can’t see you live, and truth be told i was so affected my mind wasn’t in the revision.

Say you’ll come again next year cos im sure as hell im the only one who wants you in SG :]

Tuila

This sent shivers down my spine in a very good way. I’m so happy for you.

http://www.HeatherRoseStudios.com/ HeatherRose

These photos are magnificent. Would you do a 6 minute photo shoot with me? I live near Boston, and I will drive any distance to go to you.

triolet

‘morning Amanda
When you come in Italy?
PLEASE!

clairvaux

I am a grown man, who has never met you and still I must simply submit to the fact that I love what you do and who you are, without ever having met you. Proof that I am not insane: my wife feels the same way. You are the first artist that makes me look forward to watching you grow and move on, instead of just presuming that more likely than not, now is your best time. I sincerely hope you’ll stay around forever. have fun on your tour and hope to see you soon in Europe.

nicolagatti

I love the first and the third, in the second there is too much light/shadow contrast, but the subject is always great. I started to follow Kyle when I saw his pictures of you and as a photographer I have to say that he has great concept in his mind. I love you all.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=lf UltimaEsperenza

You’ve embraced your bliss, it seems. Can’t wait to see you in a couple of days!!!!

the Decadence of EAV

This was a wonderful entry.
And that novel written my Neil Gaiman looks like a wondrous book^^

epatt29

All I can say is the show in Falls Church was probably the best I’ve ever been too – I’m still pumped from the music! think this will stick with me for a long time

jennykaye

I completely agree with epatt29. Amazing show last night. And when I got up to have my book signed by Amanda, I never told her how amazing it was. Amanda, it was an amazing show!! Thank you!

buggy_beatle

Dear Miss Palmer,

Your show on Wednesday was INCREDIBLE. I never thought I’d meet you. Now I’m looking pictures of you and appreciating you even more than I did before, which I didn’t think was possible. THAT is how amazing you are.
Love, The blond chick that kissed your cheek.

PaulaMae

Amanda,

I hate to sound like an ornery, ungrateful fan, but I was rather disappointed by Wednesday’s Philly show. It seemed to me that you weren’t really playing a variety of songs. You were only playing your most popular, best known songs (Missed Me, Astronaut, Coin Operated Boy, etc). All the songs you played that night were songs you had either played at one or both of your last two Philly shows, with the exceptions of Trout Heart Replica, Oasis and the cover songs.

The show was also very short compared to the last two concerts. Though, I doubt that was your fault. The last two concerts were played on weekends; this one was on a weekday. The last two concerts you had two opening bands; this time you only had one.

To me, the show just felt very generic. Maybe part of it was that I didn’t get a very good spot in the audience this time. I was sad when you tweeted, later that night, that it wasn’t an easy show. I’m sorry if it was a rough night for you. You shouldn’t feel the need to out-do yourself every time you play in a certain city. Your last two Philly shows were simply stellar. Hopefully next year’s will be too. Whenever you play in Philly, you can count on me to be in the audience. You will never lose my support. You are still my biggest inspiration. Keep on rocking!

Wrightie

You are the consummate artist and for that I admire you completely.

Mr_Smith

Falls church show was fucking unbelievable.. thank you Amanda and Nervous Cabaret!

Steve

The Falls Church show was really wonderful. What a great band to partner with for a tour. They really added something special to a collection of already lovely songs.

One question: Where can I find the awesome Nervous Cabaret/Amanda Palmer T-shirt online? It was sold out in most sizes by the time I got to the merch table.

Thanks for a great evening.

dorothy h.

The Falls Church show was so amazing. All of us in DC are in love with Nervous Cabaret now! And of course with AFP.

KinkyTurtle

And Falls Church WAS an amazing show. I’m so glad I was there.

Baileeey

Wowee… I was at all three of those shows, and was entertained and inspired each time. Thank you for doing what you do.

Yarnslag

My dear sweet Amanda,
I was at all three of these shows, and will at every show you do in the area forever more.

http://myspace.com/frederickk44 Eric

aww, Amanda, I want to go to a show so badly, you have no idea, i mean, it hurts because i cant go to a show, because, unlike you and your amazing tour abilities, i can’t travel. IT SUCKS. If you could please (unfortunately) come to Pittsburgh, PA, we would all be ever so gracious in your presence (did that even make sense?) whatever. We yove you!

I feel like you should live there forever. Just set up a living room, right in the middle of that alley, and just sit there drinking tea and eating scones with all the people you love and spontaneously create art and then scores of amanda fans who love you oh so much can make a mecca-like pilgrimage to the alley of Amanda for flash-twitter gigs. It would just.. make sense.

Shiny

<3

that beautiful middle photo was the one on the Sydney Opera House website when i bought my ticket for your last show in sydney in febuary. memories!

THIS is art

Esmertina

They did kill it. It was an amazing show. Loved seeing you with your dad!! And enjoyed the Q&A at the beginning, it made me think a lot about where the lines are between art as expression and art as a job … being a working artist and being a celebrity … and how your relationship with your fan base necessarily changes as you move along that spectrum. I thought it was kind of a shame that the line for the meet & greet was so long, that it looked about as much fun for you as the typical Border’s book signing (ie, not much). You looked so tired, dear, but unwilling not to keep giving whatever you could of yourself to all the art-and-truth-starved people (like me) who just want to soak up as much of you as we can.

Esmertina

They did kill it. It was an amazing show. Loved seeing you with your dad!! And enjoyed the Q&A at the beginning, it made me think a lot about where the lines are between art as expression and art as a job … being a working artist and being a celebrity … and how your relationship with your fan base necessarily changes as you move along that spectrum. I thought it was kind of a shame that the line for the meet & greet was so long, that it looked about as much fun for you as the typical Border’s book signing (ie, not much). You looked so tired, dear, but unwilling not to keep giving whatever you could of yourself to all the art-and-truth-starved people (like me) who just want to soak up as much of you as we can.

Jamie

All these photos are gorgeous! I especially love the bright colors and exuberance of the last one.

http://www.facebook.com/musicdancelearnlive?ref=profile Greta

Heyy! You have a new corset!
Pretty colours :3

On a more serious note, the progression through the photos is beautiful and intriguing. It is for things like these that I follow you.
Warmest wishes,
Greta

Marian

Absolutely beautiful!

ziggymondais

Loved the ninja gig in Asheville yesterday, and glad you like our little town

melissaey

Great idea. I hope you will do it again next year and share. When are you coming to St. Louis?

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